Tyler Matute, left, throws a beanbag while playing corn hole with his friend Kohler Strohl at the 19th Hole, a fan exhibit at the U.S. Senior Open featuring various activities, on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Saucon Valley Country Club in Upper Saucon Township. (Joseph Scheller/The Morning Call)

As the rain was beginning to let up Thursday afternoon, Kevin Miller was putting with his children — Emma, 9, and Ryan, 7 — and his father, Bill, at the U.S. Senior Open.

Of course, they weren’t a foursome on Saucon Valley Country Club’s fairways. Instead, they were playing on the 9,000 square-foot putting green located at the19th Hole, a party and activity complex that’s a new addition to the tournament.

Miller, who brought his kids to the tournament from Skippack, Montgomery County, said simply walking around and watching golf would’ve bored them. He was happy to be able to bond with them on the putting green as Emma and Ryan were excited to have an opportunity to swing their own clubs.

9-year-old Emma Miller, second from right, raises her fist in celebration after making a put while golfing with her family at the 19th Hole, a fan exhibit at the U.S. Senior Open featuring various activities, on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Saucon Valley Country Club in Upper Saucon Township. (Joseph Scheller/The Morning Call)

“We can come and get their minds off being bored and get something for them to eat,” he said. “For them, walking around is not very exciting.”

The two kids then ran off to try other activities, and perhaps get some ice cream from one of the food trucks.

For Mimi Griffin, that was exactly what the 19th Hole was designed to do.

Griffin, MSG Promotions president/founder and U.S. Senior Open executive director, said the 19th Hole is a new concept for USGA events and a chance to make the event friendly to the more casual golf fan.

“What we’re trying to do is not only entice the golf fans but more importantly, we want people that have little to no knowledge of golf to be entertained,” Griffin said. “This property in and of itself is worth coming out to see because it’s an Audubon sanctioned piece of property, just the beauty of it is unparalleled. So that’s number one.

“But number two, we’ve got, whether it’s betting, the social gaming, in the 19th Hole or the kids activities, where it can truly be a family event that’s outside and you’re moving around. You’re not just sitting and watching a baseball game or a basketball game. It’s physical activity with really valuable facetime and whether it’s with your family members or whether it’s with your key clients as one of our corporate sponsors.”

On the site of what was the corporate village during the previous Senior Opens at Saucon Valley, fans can enter the complex with a special ticket.

Matt Montgomery strikes the ball at a golfing simulator at the 19th Hole, a fan exhibit at the U.S. Senior Open featuring various activities, on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Saucon Valley Country Club in Upper Saucon Township. (Joseph Scheller/The Morning Call)

Besides the giant putting green — which was built by Jim Roney, SVCC’s director of grounds — there are lawn games, a sports bar sponsored by Yuengling and concerts. Martin Guitar sponsors a concert stage and is displaying some of its famous products and an adjacent booth. Wind Creek Bethlehem is running interactive games and X-Golf is sponsoring a simulator for fans to play “Beat the Pro.”

Lehigh Valley Health Network, the presenting sponsor for the 19th Hole, also has an area to pass out swag and promotions.

Rich Levy, LVHN’s vice president of marketing and public affairs, said the medical network quickly agreed to sponsor the 19th Hole when Griffin approached them. He said it’s a natural fit because it is about bringing people together, mentally and physically, after enduring the COVID pandemic.

“I think it’s incredible because you look at a golf tournament and it’s now become a family event,” Levy said. “You can bring your whole family and there’s something for everyone. We were really, really proud to get behind that. That’s really important for us at LVHN.”

The Saucon Valley Country Club emblem is seen crafted into a guitar made from a fallen tree at the country club by C.F. Martin & Co. at its booth at the 19th Hole, a fan exhibit at the U.S. Senior Open featuring various activities, on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Saucon Valley Country Club in Upper Saucon Township. (Joseph Scheller/The Morning Call)

Martin Guitar’s stage featured concerts by the Craig Thatcher Band on Tuesday and Wednesday. The booth features eight guitars and a ukulele built by the famous Nazareth manufacturer.

One of the guitars on display was specially made for Saucon Valley Country Club, which counts CEO Chris Martin as a member. The wood used for most of the guitar was made from a downed American elm tree at the club. On the front of the guitar is the club’s logo.

Griffin said Martin is an enthusiastic backer of the tournament.

“He doesn’t play golf, and I don’t even know that he likes golf,” she said. “But as soon as we approached him he’s like, ‘I’m all in, whatever you need.’ So he’s been presenting the Craig Thatcher Band as our entertainment.”

Wind Creek Bethlehem created a special app for the tournament. People who download it can play for points by betting on such things as which player will have the longest drive or who hits the ball closest to the pin on the 16th, 17th or 18th holes, which surround the complex.

Fans who accumulate the most points will be eligible to win stays at Wind Creek or trips to Aruba. Those who visit the Wind Creek tent can spin a wheel for food credits or free play at the casino, or tournament apparel. Fans can visit the tent to check out a leaderboard, or keep track from anywhere on the app.

Wind Creek spokesperson Trina Rackard said it’s the first time the company has used a social game within a sponsored event.

“It’s exciting to add some fun to the games,” she said.

Susan Stachowski, left, hands a t-shirt to Kyle Furtaw that he won at the Wind Creek booth at the 19th Hole, a fan exhibit at the U.S. Senior Open featuring various activities, on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Saucon Valley Country Club in Upper Saucon Township. (Joseph Scheller/The Morning Call)

Griffin said it’s a good way to keep spectators engaged and learn about the golfers.

“It’s something that’s going to keep people energized and engaged even when it’s slow on the golf course,” Griffin said. “The other thing I love about that is even the players whose names are not familiar to most, they’re going to feel the love because the fans aren’t going to worry about what their name is. They only care about their long drive. So they’re going to be cheering for them. And the players probably won’t even know why they’re getting the ovations that they’re getting.”

Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at ejones@mcall.com.

We rely on the support of our subscribers to fund our journalism. If you’re not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. Already a print subscriber? If you haven’t already, please activate your digital access.